The Selfish Giant (2013)

Female director Clio Barnard directs what essentially is a contemporary fable about two working class 13 year old boys who after getting into endless trouble at home and school seek to earn money by getting involved with a local scrap dealer and criminal. Unfortunately things turn out tragically for all involved. Gritty and totally engaging, with some stand out performances by the lead cast. 

7/10

In Fear (2013)

A young couple take a detour on their way to a music festival in Ireland. Being the first weekend getaway as a couple, the two plan to stay one night in a remote hotel, but all too quickly find themselves getting lost in a never ending maze of backwood roads with wrong directions. This soon transcends into panic as night draws in and they realise someone's out to torment and terrorise them. With elements of Blair Witch, Texas Chainsaw and the Hitcher this is a surprisingly atmospheric chiller. Definitely worth a watch.

6/10

Cropsey (2010)

A powerful, dark and upsetting documentary about Staten Island's urban legend; the Cropsey Maniac that later came true when children started disappearing shortly after the closure of Hudson Valley. Linked with the horrible conditions at this mental home that neglected so many children with special needs, the documentary touches on how Staten Island was the biggest dumping ground for New York and if Andre Rand was the real killer or just a drifter with his own issues that was far to easy to blame.

7/10

American Scream (2012)

A touching portrayal of the endless struggle for perfection, as the residents of a small town in Massachusetts get ready for Halloween and their own Haunted Houses for the public to enjoy. This documentary delves deeply into the fun and enjoyment of being scared, the community spirit around the holiday and ultimately 'why' the residents do what they do. 

7/10

You're Next (2011)

Better than average yet sill fairly pointless home invasion movie directed by Adam Wingard (A Horrible Way To Die). A family renuin gets invaded by violent masked men, picking off the family one by one until, one surprising member starts fighting back. Good action and some good kills, with an actual ending and a point to it all. 

6/10

Carrie (2013)

Directed by the promising Kimberley Pierce, this fairly rigid remake of the Stephen King classic sees Carrie White, a withdrawn girl outcast by her school friends and sheltered by her over religious mother, unleash telekinetic atrocities on her small town after being subjected to constant taunts and bullying. Unfortunately this works really well in places, but in its traditionally most tense moments, including the finale, its a bit of a let down. With the overriding question of 'why remake a classic' hanging over this, it unfortunately doesn't offer anything new. Good lead performances but the original is still untouched.

5/10

Red White & Blue 2010)

Written and directed by Simon Rumley this fairly straight forward yet massively bleak film follows a disaffected and promiscuous Erica as she sleeps with a series of nameless men, until one day she is befriended by a Mansonesque guy called Nate (played brilliantly by Noah Taylor) an ex-Iraq war veteran with a sociopath's streak. Set in Austin Texas, it's fairly hard nosed, gripping and definitely unflinching. Not a masterpiece but a definate cut above the rest in the genre. 

6.5/10